Sprinkler toy



June 26, 1956 yv s u r 2,752,155

SPRINKLER T0 Y Filed Dec. 31, 1953 Alfred F. Was/mum INVENTOR.

' Y WW HM L United States Patent SPRINKLER TOY Alfred F. Washburn, Old Tappan, N. 3.

Application December 31, 1953, Serial No. 401,569

3 Claims. (Cl. 273-101) This invention relates to a sprinkling toy and more specifically provides a toy for providing entertainment and amusement in a game of competitive skill which depends upon the skill of the game players.

An object of this invention is to provide a sprinkling toy which may be employed in a game for several players who may play individually or as teams for expeditiously seeking the desired results.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tubular sprinkling member having a plurality of guide lines secured thereto with a receptacle on each guide line wherein the object is to direct the flexible sprinkler so that the receptacle may be filled.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a sprinkling toy having a flexible sprinkler and guide line secured thereto wherein the sprinkler may be directed toward a target.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a sprinkler toy which may be utilized in a game of skill which is novel and entertaining in operation and results, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, comprising a minimum of parts and well adapted for employment in a game.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the sprinkler toy of this invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken substantially along a longitudinally centered section showing the details of construction of the sprinkler;

Figure 3 is a perspective detailed view showing one of the target elements.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral generally designates the sprinkler toy of this invention including a pointed stake 12 for insertion into the ground and a tubular fitting 14 attached to the upper end of the stake 12 by suitable screw thread means 16. The tubular fitting 14 is disposed generally horizontal with one end being open and internally screw threaded for receiving the screw threaded end 18 of a garden hose 20 or other pipe for supplying water to the interior of the fitting 14. A tubular pipe nipple is inserted into the upper wall of the fitting 14 as indicated by the numeral 24 and it will be seen that the nipple 22 is in vertical alignment with the stake 12. Positioned over the upper end of the nipple 22 is an elongated flexible tubular member 26 such as a rubber pipe or the like. Positioned around the nipple 22 and resting on the upper surface of the fitting 14 is a semi-spherical hollow ball 28 which loosely fits around the nipple 22 for rotation thereon. Adjacent the upper edge of the semi-spherical member 28 is positioned a plurality of apertures 30 radially spaced about the circumference of the member 28. An elongated cord or wire member 32 2,752,156 Patented June 26, 1956 is positioned in each aperture 30, and at its inner end. is.

joined to a circular flexible ring 34 which surrounds the flexible tube 26.. The wire member 32' is wound about itself generally as indicated by the numeral 36 for attachment to the circular ring 34; Areceptaclc, member 38 is secured to the outer end of each of the flexible. wire members 32 in anyconventionalmanner. A target member generally indicated by the numeral 40 and including a ground penetrating stake 42 having a right angular bent offset end portion 44 for pivotally receiving a target plate 46 having pivot ears thereon which is pivotally secured on the right angular portion 44 and engages the offset portion of the stake 42 for retaining the plate 46 in vertical position against pivotal movement in one direction.

The operation of the device will be readily understood. Water is supplied through the tubular water hose or pipe 20 up through the flexible tube 26. A person grabs one of the receptacles 38 and by pulling against the wire 32 the tubular member 26 is directed toward his receptacle 38. The object of the device is to fill the cup 38 with water from the tube 26 without knocking over the target plate 46. Obviously, a separate player may hold individual receptacles 3S and the players may be divided into teams. Obviously, the game may be played in any conventional and readily apparent manner with or without the target members 4%) wherein the first person who gets his receptacle full would be declared the winner. Other various rules and procedures may be utilized employing the elements of the invention. Any well-known materials may be employed thereby enhancing the economic feasibility and production costs of the sprinkler toy.

In practical construction, the semi-spherical hollow ball 28 may be provided with brackets or other holding means for the receptacles or cups 33 for storing the receptacles when not in use. Further, the target members 40 may also be carried in any suitable manner by the ball 28. The receptacles may be constructed in the nature of a spool wherein the flexible cord or wire may be wound therearound and the receptacles placed on the hollow ball to prevent tangling of the cords.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A sprinkler toy comprising a vertically disposed flexible tube, a water supply line connected to said tube, and a plurality of means extending radially of said tube wherein said tube may be directed by said means thereby guiding the discharge from said tube, each of said means including a flexible cord member having a receptacle secured to its outer end for catching water discharged from said tube.

2. A sprinkler toy comprising a vertically disposed flexible tube, a water supply line connected to said tube, and a plurality of means extending radially of said tube wherein said tube may be directed by said means thereby guiding the discharge from said tube, said tube being loosely surrounded by a flexible ring, said means including a plurality of flexible members secured to the ring, and a semi-spherical hollow member rotatably positioned around said tube and having a plurality of radially spaced apertures adjacent its edge for guidingly receiving said flexible members.

3. A sprinkler toy comprising a vertically disposed flexible tube, a water supply line connected to said tube, and a plurality of flexible lines extending radially of said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 533,113 Byrkit Ian. 29, 1895 10 4 Thorngren .1. Feb. 5, 1901 Bowes Jan. 14, 1902 Alden July 5, 1910 Vaughan July 6, 1937 Whitney June 16, 1953 

